Just a picture in a frame

That last day leaving summer camp, 
didn't know she would be there too.
My protector, my ghost..
I expect each of us as kids dreamed, 
yet scared to define the two.  

Watched as she drove away, life lost a little of its taste
so far out of my league, yet always wondered,
what another life could've replaced. 

Don't invest in secrets of yesterday,
and certainly not tomorrow.
Put all your coin on this today..
that which all old men
seek to borrow.         

Carry your heart for all to respect,  
live long all precious days. 
Don't trust your soul to intellect, 
for it'll abandon you.. 
just when you trusted it
to stay. 
  
There's genius in a child's clutch, 
and love in life's brocade.
Without it most don't hold to much,
and see all wither that they made. 
 
Don't know if the past matters much, 
to me remains ever just the same. 
When two lives shared all in touch, 
and one just a picture in a frame.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Watts Avatar
May 28, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Hi Quoth A lovely poem and yes I have many photo's in frames on my walls and keep adding and updating them Lovely memories to look at Cheers Christine
Greenhough Avatar
March 23, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Memories, otherwise forgotten, are kept alive by photographs. This is a poignant poem that reminds us of why we cling to the old photo albums. Thank you for writing thus. Im happy that it achieved its much deserved POTD.
La France Avatar
February 7, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Richard, wonderful storytelling and congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE DAY honor, Constance
Vionet Avatar
February 7, 2026 at 6:09 AM
I get a sense of memories overlaying life, ghostly, like reflections on glass. Very nice, raven. =]
Rodrigues Avatar
February 5, 2026 at 4:46 AM
There's genius in a child's clutch, and love in life's brocade...the dream I had when my mom died…the soft touch of her hand squeezing mine. I love those lines! Congrats on POTD!
Alex Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 6:54 PM
"When two lives shared all in touch, and one just a picture in a frame." - A very powerful poem. Congratulations!
Nicole Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 5:19 PM
' When two lives shared all in touch, and one just a picture in a frame. ' This ending thought is beautiful, yet emotional at the same time. As moments and memories are captured, we hold them so close to the heart. Congratulations Quoth Theraven, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
Theraven Avatar
February 12, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Hang in there Brandy, I'll get to you and rest of these wonderful poets. I have at least one favorite from each. -R
Kauffman Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Richard, what a marvelous poem with wonderful images like "love in life's brocade" so full of poetic impact! Congratulations on your POTD. Blessings!
Goldsmith Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Congratulations on your POTD  win. I enjoyed reading your powerful "Just a picture in a frame" write. Guess we all have regrets but they have No value just pain. Have a blessed day with your wonderful win...............
Daniels Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Interesting picture detail & some good advice, QT. Congrats on POTD. I loved the phrase > “life’s brocade”. And this bit of remembering stated clearly here is important as we navigate our way ahead “Don't invest in secrets of yesterday, and certainly not tomorrow. Put all your coin on this today..” Sending rainbow frequency your way. X.
Theraven Avatar
February 12, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Hello Ghairo, Thank you truly., rainbow frequency received. -Richard
Rodgers Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 6:24 AM
Hello QR, Congrats on POTD that is like someone holding an old photograph and realizing it still has a pulse. To me it reads like someone who’s lived enough to know what gets kept and what gets shed. Winter Blessings, QR, Daniel
Theraven Avatar
February 12, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Hello Daniel, Thank you for the kindness. Suddenly occurred to me.., we need more poems about the nuances of eight track players. One with Olivia's greatest jammed in. Blessings to you, tomorrow is Friday the 13th. Charlie Brown's lucky number.,,. and mine -Richard
Rodrigues Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 6:01 AM
I feel your angst and thoughts of yesteryear. I likewise wrote today of the past. Congrats on a wonderful POTD! Love this so much…faving!
Theraven Avatar
February 12, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Hello Kim, It's the past that makes the living in today tolerable. I fear for our kids that'll never know the joy in a piece of cardboard stuffed in the crevice of an 8 track allowing Olivia Newton John one last song. Late to my own party sometimes. -Richard
Gifford Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 4:30 AM
Hello Quoth, congratulations on your very emotive poem being featured as the POTD. Have a wonderful rest of the day.
Theraven Avatar
February 7, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Hello Zyrool, Thank you for this. Always found your given name enigmatic, but very interesting. -Richard
Etgen-Baker Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 4:28 AM
just wow! a emotional tale and engaging poem from beginning to end...especially liked: There's genius in a child's clutch, and love in life's brocade. well deserved POTD designation.
Theraven Avatar
February 7, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Hello Sara, Thank you for this thought–provoking comment. Happy Saturday, one of my favorite days. Though I can't wait to find myself in the five come this May. -Richard
Jones Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 3:34 AM
A touching potd with wonderful rhyme! Congratulations on your!
Theraven Avatar
February 4, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Hello Karen, Thank you for this comment. Some people prefer near-rhymes or no semblance of rhyme at all. I fancy them all. ¯\(?)/¯ -Richard
Kitchin Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Richard, a wonderfully penned emotive poem. Congratulations on POTD.
Theraven Avatar
February 4, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Thank you for this warm comment Tania. Is the dog in your avatar a Greyhound? -Richard
Edmonds  Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Congratulations on having received poem of the day for your sad yet beautiful poem… Beryl
Theraven Avatar
February 4, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Hello Beryl, Thank you for the congratulations. Though I struggle to understand why my pen gravitates towards unpleasant things. I've had so many blessings in this life. -Richard
Seeker Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Regrets of the yesterdays and fear of the morrow … a familiar tale yet so exquisitely told by your masterful pen! Warmest congratulations on POTD, Quoth
Theraven Avatar
February 4, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Thank you for this comment, from another fine pen and accomplished poet. But I'm obviously going to keep the day job. ") -Richard
Andresen Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 1:31 AM
- A lovely poem with many memories and feelings - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. Richard :) - hugs
Theraven Avatar
February 4, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Thank you Anne-Lise. New memories wait just around the corner. -Richard
Cunningham Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Back with congratulations to you Richard on your well deserved potd honour Tom
Theraven Avatar
February 4, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Tom, Have to admit, seeing my dog's hind quarters on the POTD startled me. For a brief moment I thought the worst, perhaps my account had been hacked? Followed by realization and chuckling relief. -Richard
Cunningham Avatar
February 2, 2026 at 10:22 AM
As time marches on many of our memories come to the surface seeing those pictures in a frame, sometimes it's all we've got of those that have passed. Excellent writing Richard. Tom
Theraven Avatar
February 4, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Hi Tom, Thanks for this comment. And your guess as to the underlining moral and meaning, ninety percent correct. -Richard
Narain Avatar
February 2, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Nice poem.
Theraven Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Hello Jay, Thank you. 'Yet somehow she still parked her heart next to mine.; Now you know I know, you know? It's all relative, that's poetry. -Richard
Lane Avatar
February 2, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Melancholy are the memories of a romantic who ponders and sighs over what might have been. Excellent expressions, Richard.
Lane Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Dear Richard, your kind response nearly brought me to tears. I had no idea you valued my comments so dearly. I faved this one yesterday in hopes it would become potd. It’s a poem more than worthy to be recognized and honored. Hugs.
Theraven Avatar
February 3, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Hello Lin, Thank you friend, what would we do without melancholy? There'd be no 'The Great Gatsby', or 'Oliver Twist'. BTW, did I tell you how happy I was when you returned? Your comment all those years ago meant more than you'll ever know. I carried it with me to work, meetings, conversations my kids, even with AAA broken down beside the road. Comments like yours saw me through some rough patches. Anyway, have a good even under the waxing moon. -Richard
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